Key Yachting Celebrates ‘The Year of the J/112e’
The 2025 racing season will be remembered as a defining year for the J/112e – and nowhere was that more evident than at the IRC Nationals and Cowes Week, where Leon’s exceptional performance captured the attention of the entire fleet. Their commanding display on the Solent set the tone for what became a landmark season for the design, as the J/112e continued to prove its dominance across the UK and Irish circuits. From Scotland’s west coast to the South Coast and beyond, the boat once again demonstrated its unrivalled versatility, excelling in both inshore one-design fleets and offshore IRC battles.
After a summer of remarkable results, the season concluded in fitting style at the Dartmouth Regatta, where J/112e Thinking Space claimed the overall trophy with a string of commanding performances. Fellow J/112e White Majic joined them on the IRC 1 podium, sealing what has truly been a year defined by J/Boats.
Season Highlights
IRC UK National Championships – June 2025
Part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the IRC UK Nationals in Cowes proved a showcase for the J/112e.
- David Franks’ LEON secured silver.
- James Chalmers’ HAPPY DAIZE took bronze.
Both boats impressed in a hotly contested fleet, with LEON leading early in the regatta and maintaining consistent form throughout.
J Cup UK – Inaugural J/112e Nationals
Also in June, history was made with the first-ever J/112e Nationals held within the J Cup UK. Five boats lined up, delivering close racing throughout.
- David Franks’ LEON not only won the J/112e Nationals but also took the overall J Cup trophy.
- Guernsey’s Fandangle, only six months after delivery, took an impressive silver.
This landmark event confirmed the depth of competition and the class’s ability to deliver one-design racing at its very best.
Inter-island Jersey – Guernsey Race
Following on from a top result at the J Cup, Fandangle carried that momentum into the IQ-EQ Inter-Island Race from Guernsey to Jersey, taking the overall win with a time of 3:50:30. The crew also claimed honours as top J/Boat, top IRC entry, and Ancient Mariner winner, further showcasing the J/112e’s all-round performance and versatility across a range of conditions.
Cowes Week – August 2025
In the UK’s most iconic regatta, the J/112e once again proved its strength.
- LEON triumphed in IRC2 after a week-long battle with Jack Rabbit and the JPK 10.80 YES!.
The constant shuffling of the leaderboard highlighted just how competitive the racing was – and just how sharp the J/112e remains inshore.
Rolex Fastnet Race – July 2025
Among the standout offshore highlights of the season, Wayne Palmer’s Thinking Space represented Key Yachting in the Rolex Fastnet Race, competing two-handed in the fiercely competitive IRC Double-handed Division.
The boat delivered in challenging mixed conditions, showcasing the J/112e’s hallmark balance of speed, control, and offshore endurance.
Thinking Space was joined on the start line by fellow J/112e J’Ouvert (Simon Harris & Charles Linard), underlining the design’s growing presence in major offshore events. Their combined campaigns demonstrated once again how the J/112e can seamlessly shift from inshore one-design competition to long offshore challenges like the Fastnet.
Dartmouth Regatta – August 2025
The season’s crescendo saw Thinking Space dominate, posting near-flawless results against strong fleets of Sunfasts and JPKs. Their performance was all the more impressive coming straight off a doublehanded Fastnet campaign – a testament to the boat’s versatility and resilience.
Jura Scottish Series – May 2025
North of the border, Johnny Treanor’s Valentina delivered a flawless performance in the IRC Coastal Class, winning every race in a variety of tough conditions.
Calves Week – August 2025
Valentina then carried that momentum into West Cork’s Calves Week, storming to victory in IRC Zero. Against a formidable fleet, she sealed the win with a standout race around the Fastnet Rock, finishing over nine minutes ahead on corrected time. Offshore, inshore – the J/112e once again proved it can do it all.
J Cup Ireland – September 2025
The Irish season closed with a thrilling J Cup showdown between Valentina and Big Picture. Match racing throughout the weekend led to photo-finish results in punishing conditions, with Valentina edging out her rival to secure victory.
Looking Ahead
With the J/112e enjoying a facelift and relaunch as the new J/36, the proven hull and rig continue their winning ways under a refreshed identity. If 2025 has shown anything, it is that the timeless design remains at the cutting edge of performance.
For Key Yachting, 2025 has truly been The Year of the J/112e – a season of trophies, firsts, and unforgettable racing moments.